* August has long been my least favorite month of the year. Perhaps because it’s so freakin’ hot and muggy.
* The happiest moment of August is when the fall catalogs start to arrive, particularly the ones that feature Halloween items. That’s when I know the relief of Autumn is on the way.
* If I spy a small animal — say a cat or a chipmunk — hanging around the house, I will leave scraps of food for it.
* I am delighted by good manners, common courtesy and kindness.
* I never tire of chocolate.
Tonkatsu has been one of my favorite dishes ever since an ex-boyfriend introduced me to it nearly 20 years ago.
On Saturday night, after M went to sleep, I decided to treat myself to a tonkatsu dinner. For those who are unfamiliar with this Japanese dish, imagine thin boneless pork chops, breaded with panko (Japanese bread crumbs), flash-fried and topped with a tangy and spicy brown sauce. The cutlets are usually served with a side of sticky sushi rice and a small salad.
Even when cooking for one, the rice takes the longest so I got that started right away. As it percolated in the rice cooker, I turned my attention to setting up the breading station: a plate of flour, a bowl of beaten egg and a plate of panko. Once that was done, I took my two pork chops and very carefully cut them in half lengthwise, making them extra thin. Doing this allows the dish to feel a bit lighter; the pork cooks faster, too. Lastly, I filled the skillet with about 1/2-inch of vegetable oil and set the heat to medium-low. I knew that by the time the oil was ready, the rice would be nearly done. Since I had a few minutes to spare, I wrapped the chops in paper towels to blot out excess moisture, set them on the counter next to the breading station and returned to my office to answer a few emails.
The time spent at my desk was both productive and brief. Knowing the oil wouldn’t take long, I typed swiftly. So it was only a few minutes later that I swiveled in my chair to face the door. I always do this before standing because my dog Duncan likes to sleep directly behind my desk chair and I don’t want to accidentally roll over him. This time, however, I was surprised to find that he wasn’t there. Nor was he sleeping on the loveseat against the wall. In fact, it had been quite a while since I had seen him.
Any one who has children will understand the “uh oh” feeling that descends during such moments. It’s the dreadful one that makes you listen intently to your home because it’s quiet, too quiet. In our child-free and pet-filled house, there is a similar ritual, along with the sure knowledge that certain noises should always be present. Even at 3 a.m., silence was not the norm.
As I stood and began to walk down the hallway, the sound of Duncan’s dog license and proof-of-rabies-shot medallion making a decidedly mischievous clink reached my ears and filled me with additional worry. But by the time I reached the kitchen, the room was empty.
And all the pork chops were gone.
Unlike the detectives in mystery novels, I didn’t need to study the evidence — empty space on the counter, two small scraps of paper towel lying on the ground — to figure out whodunit. I knew exactly who the culprit was.
Sure enough, by the time I reached the living room, a shame-faced canine was lying low in his crate, guilt written all over him. He knew what he did was wrong and he knew I’d be furious. Yet that knowledge just couldn’t keep him from taking advantage of the situation. Apparently the punishment he knew he’d receive was well worth the crime.
I’ll bet those chops were tasty.
* I can recite every line of “The Parent Trap,” “Better Off Dead” and “Pretty in Pink” from memory.
* I believe that kitty toes are cuter that human toes.
* I am far more likely to buy individual songs than albums. Alternatively, I prefer to purchase short story collections over individual tales.
* I tend to savor food, particularly when I’m eating out, so it drives me a bit mad when wait staff in restaurants try to remove plates from the table before I finish my meal.
* After 24 years in the news business, I still try to make a difference.
I’m incredibly suggestible when it comes to food. Mention pizza, and suddenly, I have a craving. If I just hear the sizzle of fajitas as a waitress walks by, I instantly want some. And don’t even get me started on the evils of bakery scents. I could walk into a bakery, totally full from a meal, and the moment that delicious yeasty, warm bread-y smell hits, I’m a lost cause.
So you can imagine how well I resist the urge to devour treats while listening to Dan Pashman’s podcast “The Sporkful.” In particular, the episode titled, “Donuts Old School, Donuts New, Donuts Glazed, Donuts Blue.”
Needless to say, I didn’t resist at all. Next thing I knew, I was in the kitchen, prepping dough, mixing a bowl of cinnamon and sugar and heating up the oil. At 4 a.m., with the rest of the world asleep, man… those doughnuts were good.
Thanks, Dan.
Photo by Cheryl Leinonen.
Every Spring, I think about joining a CSA.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a program that involves buying a number of shares at a local farm. These shares help farmers stay in business and connect with customers interested in their wares. On the consumer side, the shares provide weekly access to fresh, seasonal and often organic foods and help preserve New England’s rural character.
The CSA I’ve been thinking about joining is connected to a 35-acre farm that’s been in business since 1780 and uses sustainable farming practices. For $400, I can purchase a half-share (enough to feed two people) that provides 17 weeks of certified organic fruit and veg such as asian greens, beans, beets, broccoli, broccoli rabe, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, chard, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, garlic, scallions, soybeans, herbs, leeks, lettuce, onions, parsnips, peaches, peas, peppers, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, shallots, spinach, squash, tomatoes, turnips and watermelon. U-pick ’em blueberries, strawberries and pumpkins are also available.
For a couple hundred dollars more, I can buy a meat share of grass-fed beef, lamb, chicken and/or turkey. The animals at this farm feed naturally at pasture, and are raised without hormones, antibiotics or steroids.
Since the farm is close by, the weekly pick-up won’t take much time or effort. Customers who are unable to afford a share may still sign up in exchange for a few hours spent working on the farm. And, there’s no need to worry about unfamiliar fruit and veg; this CSA includes recipes in the weekly box.
So with all of these advantages, why do I hesitate? Timing. We’ve been saving to buy a house for a while now, and our goal is to do so by the end of the year. We also hope to move to another part of the state or country (unless Nova Scotia or Scotland will have us, then we’re more than willing to become expats).
Due to our uncertain circumstances, we could end up moving in a month or not until the Fall. As such, I’d hate to buy a share for the next 17 weeks and leave without completing it. There’s also a side of me that senses if I do buy the share, it will guarantee a quicker move, which, of course, makes me want to do it all the more.
The deadline to join is looming. Should I live in the moment and go for it? Or be cautious and hope doing so will be more cost-effective? I’m open to your thoughts.
